The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1887-04-30
A BAG OF GOLD.
An Exciting Adventure OF CONNER
cial Traveller.


am one of the senior travellers for
we'll known Birmingham house OF
business. Early in 1854 my engage
ments called me to the north of Eng
land, where, among other things, !
was commissioned 10 get in several
considerable sums II money which
were owing to my employers. Money
happened 10 be pretty plentiful; Gus
toners were compliant, and affairs
tErntd out most satisfactory; SO IL was
with n light heart and heavy pocket
that got into the train at Newcastle
aud found myself speeding comforta-
bly, toward Carlisle. / had in my posses
sion close upon seventeen hundred
pounds, OF which large quantity was
I'm gold ard notes. Most OF this | car
ried In a small but strong handbag,
which locked securely, and which no
power en- earth could have persuaded
me voluntarily to lose sight of for a
moment. By the time reached Car
Isle The afternoon was pretty far adj
vanccd, and although my business
there did rot take very long, the early
darkness of q February evening had
already begun TO set In when found
myself back at the station with nearly
two hours 10 wait FOR my train to
Dumfries, whore | intended staying
that night Having so much time To
wait, thought | would take stroll
in the streets and spend the time in
looking around a bit, instead of hang
Ing about the station and making the
delay seem doubly long by doing moth
ing.
IL was bitterly cold evening, with
regular Cumberland east wind
sweeping down from the Brampton
Falls, which was doubtless the reason
why there were SO few people about the
streets So buttoned up tightly my
long ulster, pulled my American
squash hat well over my ears, took
my bag in my hand, and with a lighted
cigar between my lips, commenced
~n.king in the direction of the cathe-
dral. On my way, paused 10 admire
the massive strength OF the county
Jail, which irowned sternly down from
rs solid keep on my left hand as
i stood for two or three
minutes, during which time my cigar
went out, so, moving on where might
be out OF the wind, stopped 10 re-
light it in the main gateway; an in
nocent action enough, but one destined
20 cause me no slight vexation OF
spirit lefUre the evening was over.
Having successfully accomplished this.
resumed my walk through Castle
Street, till found myself outside the
precincts OF the cathedral On trying
the gate of the Abbey | found IL
locked. shook il two or three times.
but was obliged TO give up the idea Of
getting inside.
was tGraing TO retrace my steps,
when | observed on the other side of
the street man who seemed to be
watching my proceedings with intense
interest.
He was square built. sturdy look
ing person, not too well dressed, and
IL seemed to me that he looked slightly
disconnected when turned and
noticed him. lie quickly recovered
himself, however, and whstling In "A
nonchalant manner, commenced saun-
tering slowly In the opposite direction.
Ordinarily, | should have thought
nothing of such slight and insignih-
cant incident; but the possession of a
large sum Of money on ones person
in an unprotected condition imparts
wonderful stimulus TO the imaginative
faculties. ! could not help quicken
ing my pace. and my heart beat faster
at the bare thought that perhaps was
being followed by dangerous mem.
Der Of the crimal classes who had I'M
lawful designs upon me. After pro-
cceding few yards, looked round,
and my uneaslne<s was not lessened
a. discover that the man bad turned
round too as soon as had taken my
eye OF him, and was evidently keep
ing me well in sight was so alarmed
BY this discovery that In my endeayor